Chime signal apparatus



Sept. 13, 1955 L. w. RITTENHOUSE CHIME SIGNAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1955 INV EN TOR. LLUYQ 54 RITTENHOUE ATTQIWIEV United States Patent CHIME SIGNAL APPARATUS Lloyd W. Rittcnhouse, Honeoye Falls, N. Y., assignor to The Rittenhouse Company, Inc., Honeoye Falls, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 12, 1953, Serial No. 391,662

8 Claims. (Cl. 340393) This invention relates to chime signal apparatus, with more particular reference to the type of chime signal used in homes for announcing a visitor at the front or rear door, and it has for its purpose to afford mechanism operating in conjunction with a multiple-note chime unit and acting to give a single-note chime signal at one or more distant locations in the house in synchronism with the multiple-note signals at the front door or other location and controlled from a single common timer mechanism.

One purpose of the invention is to insure a signal of a multiple-note chime unit being heard throughout the home by means of secondary single-note chimes positioned in the basement, in bedrooms, and other points located distantly from the main entrance so that a person in any part of a house is advised of the operation of the main signal.

Another object of the invention is to afford a multiplenot chime unit located at one point and a series of distantly located single-note chimes each of which is tuned in harmony with each of the chimes of the multiple-note unit and is operated synchronously from a single common timing mechanism to strike simultaneously with the chimes of the multiple-note unit so as to produce a harmonius sound resulting from a combination of two tones, one of a chime of the multiple-note unit and the other of the chimes of the single-note chimes.

A further purpose is to afiord an economical construction which can be readily installed and successfully operated in a practical manner in conjunction with a multiplenote chime unit and in such a way that current passing from the usual transformer to the various signals always can have a constant high value or characteristic while the single-nte chime units can be of low cost and operated at low voltage, the total of which does not exceed the voltage permitted by standard installations of door chime signals.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts that will appear clearly from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

The drawing is a diagrammatic view of the parts and circuits for carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1, 2 and 3 designate diagrammatically three chime units of a multiple-note melody chime for striking four notes and each operated by a suitable solenoid or coil. One chime of the three chime units is sounded twice to play a total of four notes, and the chime units which are of different tonal characteristics are each connected through terminal 4, conductor 5, and terminal 6 to a conductor 7 which extends to terminal 8 and thence through conductor 9, terminal 11 in the installation as shown, and conductor 12 to one end of secondary coil 13 of transformer 14, the other end of said coil 13 being connected through conductor 15 to a rotatable switch arm 16 which is operated by a suitable electrical timer means 17 to engage successively with contacts 18, 19, 2b and 21. The contacts 18, 19 and 20 are connected through conductors 22, 23 and 24 respectively to terminals 25, 26 and 27 which in turn are connected through conductors 28, 29 and 31 respectively with the chime units 1, 2 and 3 aforementioned, and contact 21 is connected through conductor 36 with conductor 22, terminal 25, and conductor 28 with chime unit 3.

The primary coil 32 of transformer 14 may be connected to a conventional llS-volt A. C. line, while 33 indicates a holding switch mechanism operated by the electrical device 17 to maintain the circuit closed and complete the cycle of movement of switch arm 16 after the front door button or switch 34 is operated and released, the operating circuit thus remaining closed until the movement of switch arm 16 is completed to operate the several chimes 1, 2 and 3 in the prearranged cycle.

The structure thus far described is old and employed for operating a multiple-note chime unit when a button or switch is operated to close the controlling circuit, and the present invention has to do with providing a multiplicity of single-note chime units operable from the same source of power that operates the multiple-note chime unit and in synchronism with chimes of the multiple-note unit, such single-note chime units being located in the basement of a house, on different floors, in various rooms, or at other points remote from the location of the multiple-note chime unit.

Thus with each note of the multiple-note chime unit, all of the single-note chimes are simultaneously operated at the dilierent locations or stations. The chimes of the single-note chimes being tuned in harmony with the chimes of the multiple-note unit, each time that a chime of the multiple-note unit is struck, the single-note chimes at all stations synchronously combine with the chime of the multiple-note unit to provide a harmonious tonal combination of two notes, affording a soft tonal background for the multiple-note chime and a melodious and effective tone that can be heard throughout the house at each actuation of a chime of the multiple-note unit.

This is accomplished by providing a plurality of singlenote chime units operated by electrical devices such as solenoids or coils 35, 36 and 37 preferably arranged in series in the conductor 7, said single-note chime units being operated in the illustrated embodiment by a low voltage, such that the total potential across all of the chime units in a given installation shall not exceed 30 volts which is the maximum voltage usually permitted by fire underwriters for chime installations. It is preferred to employ single-note chime units each of which depends for its operation on an electrical instrumentality that does not require to exceed 6 volts for its operation, so that a total of five chime units may be employed in a single system and not use more than a total of 30 volts for the entire operation.

In order to adapt such a system within the limits of a 30-volt circuit in accordance with the number of chime units employed, the secondary coil 13 has connected thereto the conductor 12 already mentioned at a point which affords approximately 21 volts and is connected to terminal 11, to accommodate three or four chime units. Conductor 38 is connected to the secondary coil at a point that affords approximately 12 volts and leads to terminal 39 to accommodate a total of two or three chimes, while conductor 41 is connected to secondary coil 13 at a point that affords approximately 30 volts and leads to terminal 42 to accommodate a total of four or five chime units, and conductor 9 previously mentioned is selectively connected to terminal 11, 39, or 42, depending on the number of chime units in a particular installation.

When the main button or switch 34 is closed, a circuit is completed through conductor 43, terminal 44,,

conductor 45 to electrical operating device 17, and thence to conductor 53, transformer coil 13, conductors 15 and 46, terminal 47, and back to switch 34. When the holding switching 33 is operated by the device 17, the circuit is completed through conductor 53 to the transformer coil 13, thence to conductors 15 and 46 back to switch 33, to hold the circuit closed until the cycle of movement of arm 16 is completed.

48 designates a rear door button or switch from which conductor 4-9 leads to terminal 51 and thence through conductor 52 to conductor 24, terminal 27 and conductor 31 of the chime element 1 which is operated together with the single-note chime elements 35, 36 and 37, when the rear door switch is operated, the circuit under such condition being completed through conductor 7, terminal 8, conductor 9, terminal 11 in the installation as illustrated, conductor 12 to the secondary coil 13, and thence through conductors 15 and 46 to the common terminal 47 and to the rear door switch 48.

The operation of the structure briefly is as follows: Upon closing the front door button or switch 34, the circuit is completed through conductor 4-3, terminal 44, and conductor 45 to the electrical device 17, thence through conductor 53 to the secondary coil 13, to conductors 15 and 46 to the terminal 47, and back to switch 34. This completes the circuit to the device 17 and starts operation of the rotary switch 16, the circuit being kept closed after switch 34 is released by the conventional holding switch 33 which is maintained in circuit-closing position throughout the cycle of the rotatable switch arm 16. Switch arm 16 first engages contact 18, closing the circuit through conductors 22 and 28 to chime 3, thence to terminal 4, terminal 6, through conductor 7 and the single-note chime operating devices 35, 36 and 37, thence to terminal 8 and through conductor 9, terminal 11, and conductor 12 to the other end of the secondary coil 13, and through conductor 15 back to switch arm 16. This causes chime 3 of the multiplenote chime unit to be operated and simultaneously therewith all of the single-note chimes 35, 36 and 37 which are located at points remote from chime 3 and tuned in harmony with chime 3. As switch arm 16 moves over to contact 19, a circuit is similiarly completed through chime 2 of the multiple-note chime unit, operating the latter and simultaneously therewith all of the single-note chimes 35, 36 and 37. The rotating switch arm 16 next closes the circuit to chime 1 which is sounded and simultaneously therewith the single-note chimes 35, 36 and 37, and finally switch arm 16 again closes the circuit to chime unit 3 through contact 21, conductors 30 and 22, and terminal 25.

The chime 3 is thus sounded a second time to produce a four-note melody on the multiple-note chime unit during one complete cycle of the switch arm 16, after which the latter comes to rest. As each chime of the multiplenote chime unit is sounded, the single-note chimes 35, 36 and 37 are all simultaneously operated, each one being in harmony with the operated chime of the multiple chime unit.

The arrangement shown is suitable for synchronous operation of four chime units including three singlenote chimes and one chime of the multiple-note chime unit, the conductor 9 being connected to terminal 11 from which conductor 12 leads to a portion of the secondary coil such as to impose a total potential across the four chime units of 21 volts. If a total of five are included in the installation, the conductor 9 would be connected to terminal 4-2 from which conductor 31 leads to the end of secondary coil 13 to permit a total voltage over the five chime units of 30 volts which is the maximum voltage generally permit ed by fire underwriters in such installations, and if a total of only two or three chime units are simultaneously operated, the conductor 9 is connected to terminal 39 from which conductor 38 leads to a part of secondary coil 13 such as to afford a voltage of approximately 12 volts across the two or three chime units.

When the rear door button or switch 48 is operated, the rotating switch arm 16 and motor 17 are not affected and the circuit is closed from switch 48 through conductor 49. terminal 51, and conductor 52 to conductor 24 and terminal 27, thence through conductor 31 to chime 1 from which current passes to terminal 4, conductor 5, and terminal 6 to conductor 7, through the single-note chime operating devices 35, 36 and 3"! to terminal 8, thence through conductor 9 to terminal 11 and conductor 12 to the secondary coil 13, thence through conductor 15 to conductor 46, to terminal 4-7, and bacl; to the rear door switch 48, thus effecting operation of the single chime 3 of the multiple-note chime unit and simultaneously therewith operation of the single-note chimes 35, 36 and 37.

With the construction herein shown, which is intended only as illustrative of the invention, very small low voltage operating devices for the single-note chimes can be employed at the various stations so that the total voltage permitted across the entire line can be divided between and is suflicient to operate the several chimes, while maintaining a constant high current characteristic throughout all of the chime operating devices. The structure permits of economical production and extremely simplified and easy installation that is readily adaptable to a front door multiple-note chime, which can be combined in a practical and efficient manner to operate simultaneously from one to four single-note chimes located at any desired distant points in a dwelling. The structure is arranged so as to permit its ready adaptation to either one, two, three or more single-note chimes which are all sounded simultaneously with each chime of the multiple-note unit and are tuned in harmony with each chime of the multiple-note unit, affording a pleasing two-tone combination and a soft melodious background to the tone of the chime of the multiple-note unit sounded at the particular moment.

While the invention has been described with reference to a particular structure and circuit arrangement, the purpose can be accomplished by circuit arrangements other than herein shown and the invention is not confined to the details set forth, this application being intended to cover such modifications or departures as may come within the purposes of the improvements and the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor which leads to the other end of said transformer coil, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiple-note chime unit. and electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes operatively connected to the circuits of each of the chimes of said multiple-note chime unit whereby the aforesaid rotary switch operates all of said single-note chimes in synchronism with each individual chime of the multiple-note unit.

2. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor which leads to the other end of said transformer coil, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiplenote chime unit, and electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes operatively connected to the circuits of each of the chimes of sad multiple-note chime unit whereby the aforesaid rotary switch operates all of said single-note chimes in synchronism with each individual chime of the multiple-note unit, said single-note chimes .having a tone in harmony with each of said chimes of said multiple-note unit.

3. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor which leads to the other end of said transformer coil, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiple-note chime unit, and electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes arranged in series in said conductor and operated in synchronism with each individual chime of the multiple-note unit.

4. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor which leads to the other end of said transformer coil, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiplenote chime unit, and low voltage electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes arranged in series in said conductor and each operating on approximately not more than a 6-volt current of constant value.

5. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiplenote chime unit, electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes operatively connected to the circuits of the chimes of said multiple-note unit and operated by the aforesaid rotary switch in synchronism with each individual chime of the multiple-note unit, and a plurality of terminals connected respectively with said transformer coil at diiferent points depending upon the total number of chimes in an installation, said last mentioned conductor being selectively connected with one of said terminals.

6. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and Cit controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiplenote chime unit, low voltage electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes arranged in series in said conductor, and a plurality of terminals connected respectively with said transformer coil at different points depending upon the total number of chimes in an installation, said last mentioned conductor being selectively connected with one of said terminals, said single-note chimes each having a tone in harmony with each of said chimes of said multiple-note chime unit.

7. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiplenote chime unit, electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes arranged in series in said conductor, and a plurality of terminals connected respectively with said transformer coil at different points depending upon the total number of chimes in an installation, said last mentioned conductor being selectively connected with one of said terminals, said single-note chimes each having a tone in harmony with each of said chimes of said multiplenote chime unit.

8. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit located at one part of a building and including a plurality of chimes, chime circuits operatively connected to and controlling said chimes, a rotary switch operatively connected to and acting to close said chime circuits successively and sound said chimes, and a transformer including a secondary coil connected at one end to said rotary switch, said chime circuits being each connected to a conductor which leads to the other end of said transformer coil, of a multiplicity of single-note chimes located at separated parts of a building remote from said multiplenote chime unit, low voltage electrical operating devices for said single-note chimes arranged in series in said conductor and each operating on approximately not more than a 6-volt current of constant value, and a plurality of terminals connected respectively with said transformer at different points depending upon the total number of chimes in an installation, said last mentioned conductor being selectively connected with one of said terminals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 442,347 Arnold Dec. 9, 1890 1,824,395 Bossard Aug. 29, 1933 1,960,079 Bossard May 22, 1934 

